Category: Canadian Agriculture Policy

Over the weekend, Members of Parliament held an emergency meeting to discuss the restriction of canola shipments from Richardson International to China. The news of the blocked shipments broke about two weeks ago, and China import officials say the revoked cargo was due to ‘hazardous pests’. Brandon-Souris MP, Larry Maguire says other MPs wanted this emergency… Read More

Dairy, egg, and poultry farmers will be compensated in this year’s budget just revealed by Finance Minister, Bill Morneau. The compensation is for losses stemming from international trade agreements. The Liberal government has proposed up to $3.9 billion in “support” for supply-managed farmers. The funding follows the recent ratifications of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade… Read More

It was billed as an invitation to celebrate the coming into force of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement For Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as Canadian Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr made the final stop of a cross-Canada tour with trade commissioners from Global Affairs Canada at Saskatoon. The event was meant to convey a… Read More

Remember when Goose dies in Top Gun? Of course you do. Maverick and Goose were following Iceman as his wingman and got caught in the jet wash, ultimately spinning out to sea and then ejecting from the aircraft but meeting an untimely end. To bring the analogy home, Canada is closely following the U.S., in… Read More

Richardson International announced in 2018 it had made the decision to withdraw its funding and membership from the Canola Council of Canada. At the time, the withdrawal was not without controversy, and ultimately played a major role in the Canola Council of Canada making some structural changes in late 2018. With this week’s decision by… Read More

A loophole discovered by the president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) could be a headache to farmers come April 1. Todd Lewis was recently in Ottawa at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s annual general meeting where he learned that not all farm fuel will be exempted for producers. “It is our understanding that farm… Read More

A representative from Richardson International says that this week’s revoked export license by China came after several weeks of complaints made by Chinese representatives regarding Canadian shipments of canola. While the complaints may have been made against more than just one company, its Richardson International now without the OK to ship to the economic super… Read More

The Canola Council of Canada (CCC) has elected a new chair and several new board members. Charlene Bradley, vice-chair of SaskCanola takes over from David Dzisiak who is stepping down from the board after completing his two year term. “On behalf of the board, I’d like to thank our outgoing board members David Dsiziak and… Read More

Canadians are very much wrapped up in the testimony of Jody Wilson-Raybould and Gerald Butts on the SNC-Lavalin scandal. When your house is amid chaos and controversy it can be very difficult for a government to get their work done. For farmers and ranchers in Canada there is a very important piece of business to… Read More

The National Farm Animal Care Council is digging in and forging ahead on one brand new livestock Code of Practice plus significant revisions on three more: goats for meat, fibre and dairy, dairy cattle, and livestock and poultry transport. Jackie Wepruk is the general manager of NFACC, and says that opening each of these codes… Read More

When news announcers talk about “geo-political uncertainty,” or “bi-lateral trade disputes,” it all seems quite remote from the lives of most people. For Canadian farmers, though, it often hits very close to home because the overwhelming majority of Canadian agricultural production is exported. This is why when news that one of the Canada’s largest agriculture… Read More

Jim Everson, president of the Canola Council of Canada (CCC), says the fundamental strength and importance of Canada’s canola trade with China remains, but the recent finding of “hazardous pests” that has shut down Richardson International’s exports into the country is a “difficult thing” for the entire industry. At this point, the pests of concern… Read More

It has been a tumultuous 48 hours for the Canadian canola industry. After news broke that China had pulled Richardson International’s approval to ship into the country, we learn today via Reuters that now China is claiming that they discovered “hazardous pests” in shipments from Richardsons. If we can all agree that this finding” is… Read More

At Commodity Classic last week there was no avoiding people discussing trade issues. With the volume of carryover of agricultural commodities in the United States, exports are critical. Canadian farmers are also watching the U.S./China talks with keen interest, and the USMCA ratification as this issue greatly impacts Canada as well. The USMCA ratification is… Read More

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has named its new president and vice presidents. The election took place during CFA’s annual general meeting held at Ottawa, Ont., this week. Past president of the PEI Federation of Agriculture Mary Robinson will lead the organization as president. Robinson steps in to the role after the retirement of… Read More